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SERMON 

DELIVERED 

At PLYMOUTH, 

DECEMBER 2\st, 1804 ; 
THE ANNIVERSARY of the LANDING o? 

Our jTatfjer^ 

In DECEMBER, 1620. 



Bv ALDEN BRADFORD,, A. m. s. h. s. 



Published at the request of Ephraim Spooner and Roseter Cot* 
TON, Esq'rs. and Capt. Joseph Bartlett, the Committeft 
of the town of Plymouth, by whose desire it was delivered.^ 



BOSTON ■ 
PatN-TED »Y GILB^^T £5* DEAN, No. rS, STAik-SiRXET. 
Vi )\ Jan. 1805. 






m 



1^ 



UJ 




A SERMON, &c. 



mss^ei: 



EXODUS, c. XII, V. 14. 

" jiifD this day shall be unto you for a memorial : and ye shall 
keep, it a feast to the LORD throughout your generationa ; 
ye shall keep it a feast by a7i ordinance forever." 

If the birth of statesmen and heroes, 
who contributed to their country's glory — if e- 
vents connected with the prosperity and aggran- 
dizement of a nation, may justly claim a grate- 
ful recollection ; surely, the first settlement of 
New-England, when viewed in connection with 
the motives in which it originated, the characters 
by which it was conducted, or its consequences 
to the improvement and happiness of mankind, 
as well as to the inhabitants of this new world, 
deserves to be devoutly celebrated. The mem- 
ory of our pious and renowned ancestors, who, 
amidst dangers and sufferings almost unparallel- 
ed, under the guiding and protecting hand of 
Providence, here effected the first permanent es- 
tablishment of Christianity and civilized society, 
should be consecrated with the purest rites. 

This solemn and joyful anniversary, cannot 
fail to be devoutly noticed, whilst civil and reli- 
gious freedom are held in due estimation by the 



[ 4 3 

people of America. The day should be sacred 
in the annals of our country. Our youth should 
be early taught to respect the characters, to im- 
bibe the principles, and to imitate the man- 
ners of the Fathers of New-England. Every 
succeeding generation should be told of the great 
things \\hich Providence accomplished in their 
favor ; and of the rich blessings which are de- 
rived to us from their sacrifices and toils. 

In antient days, the Hebrews were required 
to celebrate their emancipation from Egyptian 
bondage — to observe the anniversary as a memo- 
rial ajid a feast unto the Lord ; that they might 
remember thevisehes and shew unto their children 
the ivonderful poivcr of Jehovah in fai^or of their- 
nation ; and thus renew their devout gratitude to 
heaven. With equal propriety may the descend- 
ants of those virtuous and heroic men, whom 
heaven here planted, protected and prospered, 
commemorate their deliverances, and the gra- 
cious interposition of Providence in their behalf. 

But it will not be expected that wx dv/ell 
minutely upon their enterprizes and sufferings ; 
nor recount particularly the wonders connected 
with the story of their early settlement. The 
lips of the orator, and the pen of the historian 
have frequently furnished us with a relation of 
their adventures, their perils and calamities, and 
of the remarkable things which God did for 
them in their helpless, destitute situation. Wc 
have often heard of their persecutions and im- 
prisonments in England, for conscience sake — 
of their pilgrimages in Holland — of the wants 
which they experienced, and the hazards to 
which they were exposed, on this dangerou.'i 
coast, at this severe season of the year, through 
the sordid treachery of x^2iXi.(a) With astonish-- 

(See note a) 



[ 5 ] 

rneut and anxiety, we liave followed their un- 
daunted leaders from a distant harbour on yon- 
der peninsula, searehing the indented shores for 
some safe retreat for their wives and children. 
We have trembled with fear, whilst their feeble 
bark hung upon those white billows, whose 
" foaming fury" affrightens the most experien- 
ced mariners. And on that nether isle, the mo- 
ment their feet pressed the solid ground, with 
enkindling devotion we have seen them prostrate 
before their God, acknowledging his protection 
and mercy, and devoting the day to his worship 
and service, fbj Amidst all the dangers which 
threatened them from the savage tribes of the 
wilderness, and under the pressure of accumula- 
ted wants and sufferings, which they endured for 
many years, we gratefully recollect their pa- 
tience, faith and piety ; their wisdom, magna- 
nimity and courage ; and the favor and protection 
of Heaven. 

The religious character of our fathers, the 
principles and motives, by which they were ac- 
tuated in the hazardous enterprize of establish- 
ing themselves and posterity in this country, par- 
ticularly merit attention and celebration. Their 
settlement here originated, not in views of wealth, 
ambition, or conquest : It was not undertaken 
from a desire to possess extensive territory ; to 
become the founders of a new Empire ; nor to 
secure temporal power and glory ibr their chil- 
dren ; though considerations of this kind, would 
have entitled them to a name among the heroes 
and great men of the earth. They sought anoth- 
er and a better country. Their hearts and treas- 
ures were in Heaven. 

Otheh men have explored distant and bar- 
barous countries, and, with wonderful perseve- 

(Sec note Ij) 



C 6 ] 

ranee have submitted to toils and dangers, to 
gratify a sordid or ambitious spirit — to gain 
wealth or power. But such motives and views 
had no place in the breasts of the pious Fathers 
of New- England. To impart the knowledge of 
Christianity to heathen nations ; to enjoy the pri- 
vilege of worshiping God according to the direc- 
tions of inspiration, of observing the institutions 
and ordinances of the gospel, free of the arbitra- 
ry inventions of men ; and to secure for their 
posterity these invaluable blessings, were their 
primary objects in emigrating from civilized Eu- 
! ope to this inhospitable shore. With a few ex- 
ceptions, it would be difficult to designate char- 
acters, since the days of primitive Christianity, 
uniting such fortitude and zeal in the cause of 
divine truths. They were animated by the pur- 
est and noblest views. And to accomplish their 
pious resolutions, they voluntarily exposed them- 
selves to the severest deprivations and sufferings. 

It is true, our ancestors have not often ob- 
tained a splendid character in the page of histo- 
ry. As in the first age of Christianity, so in 
later periods, not many nvise men^ according to the 
estimation of the world, not many mighty^ not ma- 
ny nolle ^ are to be found among the chosen people 
of God. ButRoBiNsoN, Brewster and Wins- 
low could boast of literary and scientific acquire- 
ments : and others of them were not destitute of 
the improvements of a good education. /^c^ And 
for bold enterprize and undaunted courage, 
Standish need not yield the palm to the heroes 
of any age. 

It is however for their moral and religious 
qualities, that they so deservedly receive the tri- 
bate of our respect and veneration. It cannot 
but inspire us v»ith a noble pride to reflect, that 

(See note c) 



[ 7 ] 

our Fathers were of a totally different character 
from many adventurers both in antient and mod- 
ern days, who have been so polluted with crimes, 
they were compelled to flee their native country, 
and seek a residence in distant and foreign lands. 
They were distinguished by their rigid virtue, 
and their elevated piety. If obnoxious to their 
countrymen, it was only for a strict and consci- 
entious regard to what they considered the pre- 
cepts of divine revelation. After a residence of 
several yeai's in Holland, they departed with the 
regrets and esteem of all who had known them. 
For the virtues of industry and temperance and 
for peaceable demeanour, they were pointed out 
as examples to the citizens of that country. And 
their intercourse with the savage inhabitants of 
this place and vicinity was marked with constant 
good faith, justice and benevolence. /^J^/ 

But the particular trait of character, for 
which they justly deserve our highest adAiira- 
tion, was their noble zeal for genuine christian 
truths, which no terrors nor sufferings could 
subdue. They were too conscientious and too 
independent to respect customs, which they con- 
sidered as unsupported by divine authority, or to 
admit, that the comma?idments of men were equally 
obligatory as the express precepts of the gospel. 
Nothing but a pure conscience and an enlighten- 
ed zeal could have inspired them with the magna- 
nimity, necessary for the perilous enterprizes 
they achieved, and the severe calamities they 
encountered. Nothing but the favoring provi- 
dence of God could have supported and preserv- 
ed them in all the dangers through which they 
passed. 

It has been too common for men destitute of 
religion and ignorant of their true characters, to 

(See noted) 



[ s j 

fasten on our ancestors the charge of crilliusiasln/ 
But is the imputation sufficiently grounded ? We 
admit, they were cojiscientious ; they wci-c zeal- 
ous in the sacred cause of rehgion. It was their 
resohite purpose, to follow the directions and to 
observe the duties of the gospel. Thcv enter- 
tained high ideas of the purity and spirituality of 
the christian character. They aspired to the 
greatest attainments in christian virtue. But 
never did they place religion in transient agita- 
tions and feelings, disconnected with a holy life : 
Never did they think to atone for immortali- 
ties by the affectation or the profession of piety. 

The origin of Sectarists is usually attended 
with irregular and fanatical conduct, which ex- 
poses them to merited disgrace and censure. 
From this general charge, the people who ac- 
companied Mr. Robinson into Holland, and 
afterward emigrated to this place, area glorious 
exception. Unlike the Mennonites or Anabaptists 
in Germany, the followers of George Fox, in 
England, and other fanatics either of former cr 
later ages, whose practices have often been ri- 
diculous and disorderly, unfavourable to the 
peace of society, and repugnant to the morality 
of the gospel ; these men were sober and inof- 
fensive in private life, peaceable and obedient as 
citizens. Though they separated from the 
church of England upon a persuasion of its 
unscriptural ceremonies and impositions, they 
did not oppose the lawful authority of their 
prince ; nor was their conduct other than that 
which christian zeal would justify and commend. 
As well, we apprehend, might the charge of en- 
thusiasm be brought against the hebrew patri- 
archs, or the first christian martyrs. /^^^ 

(See note e) 



C 9 3 

With cqunl injustice, perhaps, our anccs- 
tors have been represented as men of a blgotted 
and intolerant spirit. Or, if their conduct to- 
wards those of different reUgious opinions will 
not admit of entire justification, we shall proba- 
bly be less liberal in our censures, when ^ye at- 
tend to the peculiarities of their situation. They 
had relinquished the pleasures of quietude and 
prosperity, and patiently submitted to the most 
severe trials and calamities in a barbarous coun- 
try, to maintain religious worship in conformity to 
their apprehensions of the divine will. Consisten- , 
cy of conduct would fully justify them in assid- 
uously guarding tlie system which they sincere- 
ly believed to be true. To have received men 
of opposite sentiments into the bosom of their 
infant society, and into places of power in the 
Colony, founded expressly for the purpose of 
preserving purity of doctrine and worship, would 
have been proof neither of wisdom nor of pi-ity. 
Such a conduct would have soon defeated the 
noble purposes,for the accomplishment of which, 
they had endured the greatest sniTerings. How 
could they prudently patronize the enemies of 
their faith! or even those who doubted the tru'h 
and importance of the leading principles of their 
association ! It was certainly to be expected hit 
men so conscientiously and so firmly attached to 
Christianity, would welcome none to thci:- com- 
munion, whose opinions were variant from tlie 
doctrines of this divine religion. /^/y' 

In our zeal for Catholicism, in modern times, 
we are chargeable with the folly of plncing truth 
and error on the same level ; and of affording 
similar encouragement to the enemy, as the friend 
of religion. Mot contented wiili tolerating ihe 

(S< e note 1) 

B 



[ 10 ] 

open rcvilers of our holy faith, so excessive 
is our liberality, that we plead for an admission 
of the Sceptic and Atheist to the highest places of 
power in a christian country. But such a degree 
of indifferentism^ no reason can ever justify. If 
any direction or influence be communicated to 
men's conduct from their opinions, it is certain- 
ly important, that they accord with the princi- 
ples of a society, ofAvhichthey are leading mem- 
bers. Had our fathers adopted the latitudinari- 
an sentiments of this philosophic age, the religious 
community they established would have soon 
been corrupted and destroyed. 

Though anxious to disabuse the character 
of our illustrious ancestors from all unfounded 
imputations, we are not disposed to commend at 
the expense of truth and charity. We attempt 
no vindication of persecution : We offer no plea 
for intolerance. If the men, whose memories 
we revere, were liable to the chai'ge, we would 
spread a mantle over their defects,and lament the 
imperfections of humanity. But we may justly 
spare ourselves this anxiety. The severities of 
persecution were never known in the colony of 
New Plymouth. Such, indeed, as professed o- 
^'mions fatally subversive of their system, were 
refused admittance into their society. But men 
who differed only as to rites and forms of wor- 
ship, enjoyed perfect toleration : and those of 
more heretical sentiments, if not aiming to sow 
the seeds of contention and discord, were secure 
from violence and abuse. (^) 

By some historians, not sufficiently diligent 
in their researches, the original settlers of this 
colony have been confounded with the sect of the 
£roiv?iisis. But the rigid and sectarian princi- 
ples which distinguished that denomination were 

(See note g) 



C 11 ] 

disavowed by Mr. Robinson and his followers. 
This apostolic man extended his charity to many 
members of the chmxhof England, and his writ- 
ings discover sentiments truly liberal and catho- 
lic. His mild spirit was not tinctured with the 
pride and bigotry of a Schismatic : Nor did he 
aspire to the appellation of Master among his 
hrQthrtn. f/ij Like that great Reformer, Lu- 
ther, he contended, that the Bible %vas the rule 
of faith and practise. But with more of an 
amiable diffidence and humility, he exhorted his 
disciples to follow him only as he followed 
Christ, our Divine Lord. Prudent and concili- 
ating as Erasmus ; but not chargeable with such 
temporizing conduct as casts a shade over the 
character of that learned theologian. 

It would be the greatest injustice to compare 
men of similar characters and principles with our 
Fathers, to sceptical and irreligious Philosophists, 
whose fatuity in conjecture and errors in reason- 
ing would destroy all our hopes of immortality. 
They pretend, indeed, to deliver us from super- 
stitious terrors — They profess to be guided by 
infallible reason — and would be esteemed the on- 
ly friends of toleration and Catholicism. But in 
their vain imaginations, they rob the Deity of his 
moral attributes ; and impiously deny the Lord 
viho bought them. Their own w'ild theories, they 
oppose to divine revelation ; and ex:dt hunian 
reason above the wisdom of God. But whilst 
professing to emancipate the human mind from 
imposition and fear, their licentiousness and vices 
proclaim them the greatest enemies of man. 
Their sentiments tend directly to corrupt moral 
principles, and to relax the bonds of ciyil socie- 
ty. They ridicule the idea of a supcvi rending 
Providence, and deny the sanctions of the divine 

(See note h) 



C 12 ] 

governmerit. Such are the principles and chay- 
acters oi'a Voltaire, ePaine, and a Godwin : 
whom their deluded admirers \\ culd rank among 
the friends of human happiness ; and place on 
the same list with a Luther, a Robinson, a 
Hod LEY a: d a May hew ; men ever careful to 
subject their opinions and conduct to the word 
of God. These pleaded only for an exemption 
from hviman impositions — those, for a dispensa- 
tion from the injunctions of heaven : These con- 
tended for the privilege of serving- their Creator 
according to his own requirements — those, for 
the liberty of rejecting he most sacred truths: 
These were men of sincere piety and pure mor- 
als — those often chargeable with practices and 
addicted to vices abhorrent to the mind of a so- 
ber heathen. 

In all their oppostion to ecclesiastical tyran- 
ny, in all their zeal for religious liberty, our Fa- 
thers were careful to distinguish between the ad- 
ventitious appendages and the essential truths of 
Christianity. The declarations of the gospel re- 
ceived their most cordial and implicit faith. 
They gloried in the doctrines of the cross. But 
those men, who now claim the ex €111811)6 merit of 
Catholicism, would persuade us to believe that 
Christianity is a cunningly dcxtiscd fable ; and that 
the sincere christian is not more worthy our 
confidence than the scoffing atheist. 

It is a consideration pregnant with regret to 
the friends of Christianity, that mankind are so 
frequently subject to error from want of accurate 
distinctions ; and, hastening from one extreme 
to another, so seldom remain at the point of 
truth. In one age, the greatest absurdities are 
respected. In the succeeding, we are ready 
to proscribe every dogma in theology ; every 



c 13 :i 

principle in morals. But is it rational to con- 
clude, that no religious doctrines are true, be- 
cause superstitious sentiments have sometimes 
prevailed ? In condemning human traditions or 
ridi'^ulous ceremonies, would it be just to extend 
our censures to the great truths of the gospel ? 
Because Mahomet was an impostor, and the 
Popes of Rome have wickedly imposed on the 
credulity of the ignorant, shall we therefore de- 
ny the divine origin of Christianity, which is so 
pure in doctrine and so well attested by mira- 
cles ? Surely, we may dissent from human form- 
ularies of faith, and reject many rites which falli- 
ble men have connected with religious worship, 
whilst our hearts are penetrated wdth piety to 
God, and our minds firmly established iii ths 
truth as it is in Jesus. 

We shall not readily admit, that liberality of 
sentiment is entitled to the highest commen- 
dations. To cultivate charity for those who dis- 
sent from us as to doctrines not essential to pie- 
ty, is perfectly consonant to the benign spirit of 
Christianity. Our holy religion enjoins the exer- 
cise of this amiable disposition. But in plead- 
ing for toleration, the vain reformers of this de- 
generate age avow a perfect indifference respect- 
ing all religious opinions ; and, under the mask 
of candour, conceal the most malignant opposi- 
tion to the momentous truths of revelation. Those 
sublime and consoling doctrines, revealed at 
different periods of antiquity by men under the 
influence of divine inspiration, and afterv/ard con- 
fiiTned by the Son of God from Heaven, they 
esteem as idle tales, fit only to keep an igiiorant 
world in awe. And even the opinions which 
have been considered important and sacred by 



[ 14 ] 

the devout Theist, are exploded or disputed by 
the impious philosophers of modern days. 

It was an opinion of our ancestors, which 
we seem not sufficiently to appreciate, that civ- 
il government needed the friendly aid of religion ; 
and that Rulers should be men of exemplary pie- 
ty. In their estimation, political justice was but 
an extensive application of christian morality. 
They admitted no doctrine of policy or expedi- 
ence, dissonant from the most correct principles 
of religion. And they considered it essential to 
the welfare and prosperity of the state, that the 
civil magistrate should afford support and patron- 
age to institutions for pressrving chiistian faith 
and worship Y^V -^"d the abandonment of these 
sentiments, would probably be attended by a 
relaxation of morals and a disregard of religious 
truths, which must prov^ fatal to public tranquil- 
lity. A great part of the world, however, have 
yet to learn, that to innovate, is not always to re- 
form ; and the modern theories in ethics are hos- 
tile to social and domestic happiness. 

Such respect had our ancestors for the chris- 
tian revelation, that they were desirous of con- 
forming their civil as well as ecclesiastical insti- 
tutions to its divine precepts. The wisdom of 
this policy, we are sensible, has been questioned 
by civilians of great celebrity. But the theory, 
we think, perfectly correct, /''/ty) though the con- 
duct of those who admit the principle may, in 
some instances, have been severe. When gov- 
ernment denies the people the enjoyment of 
their natural rights on account of opinion, 
we may justly complain of the arbitrary 
measure. But if the citizens of a Republic can 
reasonably refuse to admit the advocates of des- 
potic power to places of authority ; may they 

(See note i) (See note k) 



C 15 ] 

not, with equal propriety, determine, that the be- 
lief of Christianity shall be a necessary qualifica- 
tion for their Legislators and Magistrates ? 

In the Constitution of this Commonwealth, 
the subject is treated with great caution and pre- 
cision ; indicative, at once, of liberality and wis- 
dom. It requires the citizens to support reli- 
gious institutions and religious instructions, wi?A 
a 'uiew to promote the welfare of society. It 
provides, that a christian people should hai:io chris- 
tian magistrates and rulers, ftn J But the rights 
of conscien ce remain inviolate : and all sects of 
christians enjoy equal privileges, and are alike 
eligible to places of power and trust in the gov- 
ernment. 

The attempt to collect principles and max- 
ims from the volume of inspiration for political 
concerns has often been condemned as weakness 
and superstition. But it is sufficiently evident 
from divine revelation, that cii^il gcuernment is an 
ordinance of GOD ; though no particular form is 
there proscribed. And shall we suppose that 
the Deity has given no directions relative to this 
institution, so important to the welfare of man- 
kind, when he has furnished ample instruction for 
all other purposes of life ? Beside, how are the pre- 
dictions of revelation to be accomplished which 
declai'e, that the kingdoms of this world should be- 
come the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christy 
except Princes and Rulers shall be guided by 
the precepts of the gospel, and civil governments 
administered agreeable to christian principles ? 

But the subject is not left in the uncertainty 
of conjecture. Revelation plainly teaches the 
reciprocity of assistance and of benefits between 
religion and civil government. It abounds also 
with maxims and precepts for regulating the po- 

(See note m) 



C IS ] 

litical conduct of men in public stations. And 
the experience of ail ages fully evinces the utility 
and importance of the doctrine which we advo- 
cate. The consideration of the divine favor or 
displeasure, should have a controuling and com- 
mandinij influence upon all the actions of the civ- 
il magistrate. (//) 

Aftep. aii the political theories j which have 
been proposed ; after all the revolutions in gov- 
ernment, which have been effected, since the 
days of our revered ancestors, the founders of 
New- England, their opinions respecting civil 
liberty, are entitled to our decided approbation. 
They were zealous advocates for the rights of 
man, so far as were compatible \\i\h the peace 
and happiness of society. But no fanatical sen- 
timents, no ideas of the perfectahility of human 
nature ever induced them to dispense with the 
legitimate powers and the just restraints of gov- 
ernment. The end of civil society, they ack- 
nowledged, was the greatest good of the whole 
wh3 had associated : yet, for the attainment of 
this object, it was admitted, in conformity to the 
evidence of history and the declarations of inspi-^ 
red scripture, that the law was made for the dis- 
obedient ; and that government was designed to 
saiw the people from the evils of their own selfish 
and irregular passions. It was reserved for the 
spcciilati'oe politicians of the present age, to sug- 
gest, that religion is unprodiicti'^ce of benefit to 
civil society ; and that the perfection of man 
consists in an entire freedom from authority and 
restraint. Strange, that the fatal effects of such de- 
moralizing sentiments should not have taught 
mankind to regard them v/ith indignation and 
horror ! In our own times, Providence has pla- 
ced a beacon in view of the civilized world, to 

(See note n) 



-k 



[ 17 ] 

warn us of our danger. We have seen that the 
disregard of religious opinions and of religious 
institutions has been followed by disorders and 
crimes, which threatened to desolate the globe. 
Revenge, lust, and cruelty, were the fruits of 
such bold impiety. Yet many in this country 
have become advocates for licentious and infidel 
principles. But let them remember, that delu- 
sion .ja the precursor of misery and ruin. The 
progress of irreligion will be attended with the 
grossest immoralities and vices : and the land of 
our fadiers will be more obnoxious to the dis- 
pleasure of heaven,than when polluted by heathen 
worship. Every friend of Christianity and his 
country is agonized with the presentiment of ap- 
proaching calamities. 

The degeneracy of the times, we are aware, 
is a common topic of complaint in every age! 
But it is a fact, which cannot be controverted 
that the character of the present inhabitants of 
New England, is far below the degree of moral 
and christian excellence, for which our fathers 
were so justly celebrated : The worship of God 
is neglected, and his holy sabbath profaned by 
many of the present generation, and family reli- 
gion has greatly declined. And so common are 
the vices of intemperance and profanity, that 
they have almost lost their deformity in our view. 
Ambition has taken place of patriotism, and base 
intrigue is substituted for true wisdom. Inteo-. 
rity is proscribed, piety ridiculed, and independ- 
ent virtue persecuted. And to men destitute of 
religion, without moral principles, whose private 
characters are marked with profligacy and vice 
are committed the important concerns of legisla- 
tive government. 

C 



t 



18 3 



TitERE is reason, however, to believe, that a 
remnant still exists, possessing the spirit and the 
f)rinciples of former days j whose piety though 
less visible, is yet sincere, and whose zeal though 
abated, is not extinguished. Such will be care- 
ful to place a just value on the institutions, w^hich 
were so dear to our venerable fathers. Not 
merely because they ivcj-e of our fathers : but be- 
cause they are of divine appointment, and the 
means both of social and individual happiness. 
" Righteousness exalteth a nation :" and reli- 
gion is essential to the support of public and pri- 
vate virtue. Let us then zealously defend the 
gospel against those who wickedly oppose and 
blaspheme. The number of its enemies should 
serve to inspirit our exertions for its support. — 
Whilst we exercise charity for all those who ac- 
knowledge Jesus Christ and his divine reli- 
gion, whilst we pity and tolerate the iniidel w^ho 
neglects the gospel ; let us contend earnestly for 
the doctrines of our most holy faith, and entrust to 
none but a christian's care, the deposit of our 
dearest rights. With all their professions of at- 
tachment to civil liberty, the enemies of Chris- 
tianity, cannot possibly be friends to the true in- 
terests of their fellow-men. The opinions they 
disseminate have a tendency to inflame the worst 
passions of men, and to demoralize the world. 

The friends of religion have been criminally 
inactive. They have slept in the midst of dan- 
gers. Errors in opinion, and licentiousness in 
practice, have been permitted to prevail without 
censure, and without opposition. Infidelity has 
assum.ed a bold and alarming attitude. It boasts 
of patronage from the highest seat of power. 
It is in vain to dissemble. Heathe?iis7n threatens 
to overspread the land. We are advised to sub- 



C 19 3 

siitute the absurd theories of fallible and impious 
men for the glorious gospel of the Son of God. 
We are taught to live without religion, and to 
die without hope : to believe that our pious 
Fathers and friends, whose bodies lie moulder- 
ing on that sacred mount, are overwhelmed in 
eternal darkness ; and that they will ever remain 
as senseless as the clods which cover them. 
And are there none who have courage to speak 
oil GOD^s behalf? Is there not some honest E- 
lijah to defend the sacred cause of truth ? To 
bear testimony against the errors and vices of . 
the times, and to warn the people of impending j 
judgments ? Let his voice penetrate the cot-r 
tage and the palace. Let him reason of righte- 
ousness^ temperance and a future judgment y that the 
stout heart of infidelity mav tremble and relent ; 
and that a degenerate race may be persuaded to 
rtXxwn to the good old paths, in which their Fa- 
thers walked. 

May we all more uniformly observe the ap- 
pointed seasons for the public worship of God. 
May we be careful to honour the Lord in our 
families, and to provide for the moral and re- 
ligious instruction of the rising generation. Let 
us endeavour to approve ourselves to the God of 
our Fathers, by imitating their noble patriotism, 
their pure morals and fervent piety, that we may 
hope in the mercy, and share the blessings and 
protection of heaven. Let us nov/ solemnly en- 
gage, whilst assembled in the presence of God, 
in this place of our Father's residence, and sa- 
cred as the repository of their hallowed dust — 
never to abandon their correct principles of re- 
ligion and government ; to oppose infidelity and 
vice ; to advocate the glorious doctrines of 
Christianity ; to resist all encroachmcnt'> on our 



c 



20 



] 



civil rights, whether arising from the ambition 
of individuals or the errors of the multitude, 
and to standfast in the liberty with which God 
has made us free ^ 




NOTES. 

Note (A) 
Secretary Morton, and latter historians inform us that the Cap- 
f tain of the Ship w as bribed to carry tlie Emigrants to a place far Noith 
of Hudson's River, where they had proposed to settle. 

Note (B) 
Soon after their arrival in Cape Harbour, the Shallop was sent out 
with several of the principal men, Carver, Bradford, Wikslow, 
and Standish, with eight seamen to circulate the buy, and find a 
better place for settlement ; though the weather was very cold, and 
the spray of tiie sea froze on them. They sailed aleng tlie coast, and 
the tliird day not finding any convenient harbour, they hastened on to 
a port, which their pilot assured them was a good one, not many 
leagues distant. At mid-afternoon, the wind arose with rain and snow, 
the .sea became very rough— the} broke their rudder, and it was as 
much as two men could do, to steer with a couple of oars. As night 
approached, the storm increased ; they broke their mast in three pla- 
ces, their sails fell overboard, and they were in great danger of founder- 
ing—yet they recovered themselves, through the mercy ot heaven, 
and struck into tlie imagined harbour : But the pilot, being deceived, 
cried out, Lord be merciful ! my eyes never saw this place before, and 
he would have run the Shallop ashore in a place of breakers before 
the wind ; but a steersman called out to the rowers, abovt i>:ith her, or 
^•e are cast a-ivay .' immediately they got her about; and providence 
shewed a fair sound before them, (though it was very dark, and tlie 
rain heavy) they got under the lee of a small rise of land, (now called 
Saquish) and went on shore and passed the night.— On the following 
daj-, they found it to be a small island (now known by the name of 
Clark's Island) here they rested themselves, and returned God thanks 
for tlieir many dehverances, and here the next day kept the Christian 
Sabbath. : See Prince's Chronology, Pages 77, 78. 

Note (C) 
Robinson and BREWsTrR, received an university education in 
England. The former ranked among the first Divines of his age. " He 
was highly esteemed both by the city and university of Leyden for his 
learning, piety , moderation, and excellent accomphshments. The 
magisu-ates, clergy and scholars lamented his deatli as a public loss." 

.• .• Primes Chron. 
And Gov. Bradford mentions his maintaining a public disputation, 
(at the request of many learned characters) with Eriscopius, a 
Professor at Leyden, with great ingenuity and argument. Brewste* 
cultivated a taste for human as well as sacred literature, and at hli 
death, left a handsome library. Gov. BRAoroRD, though not favor- 



[ 



22 



ed with a public education, was acquainted with the Latin, Greet and 
Jlebrev} languages ; and his writings, as well as those of Gov. Wins- 
xow, shew that they were men ef extensive reading and sound judg- 
ment. — Carvfr, Bradford, Winslow, Brewster,' and Stand- 
ISH, are said to have possessed considerate estates in England. 

Note (D) 
Morton, Prince and Hutchinson bear testimony to these 
facts. 

Note (E) 

" They had a zeal for religion," says the writer of an article, in the 

Encyclopedia, '* bordering on enthusiasm." President Ada.ms also 

observes, that they were rehgious to some degree oj enthusiasm,.''* 

" Yet it was an enthusiam," he adds, " which is essential to all noble 

atchievements." And without such a resolute and zealous 

spirit, they had never undertaken nor accomplished the settle- 
ment of New-England. In religion, the only thing which could be 
considered irregular or enthusiastic, was their permitting some mem- 
bers of their church, besides the pastor, to pray and exhort, in their 
public assemblies. And as an apology for this conduct, it is to be con- 
wdered, they were destitute of a settled minister for many years, 
having t e expectation of Mr. Robinson's arrival, and being of. 
ten deceived by unworthy characters in this same profession. In 
these circnmstances, two or three of their principal members, dis- 
♦irguibhed for piety and knowledge did officiate publicly in their re- 
ligious worship. 

Note (F) 
•' More liberalitj'," says the elegant and candid Minot, " would 
perhaps have introduced Sectaries, which would have weakened 
f the community by division ; and profligates, who would have cor- 
rupted it by their vices." 

Note (G) 
«' The New-Plymouth colonists," says Hctchinson, "never dis. 
covered that persecuting spirit which we have seen in Massachu« 
setts. The celebrated Rockr Williams who was so very obnox- 
ious to the people of Salem and Boston, found a favourable recep- 
tion in the Plymouth church, where he officiated for some time. 
When the famous Mrs Hutchinson and her adherents were 
banished from that colony, they applied to the colony of Plymouth, 
for leave to settle on R. Island, then considered to be within the 
Plymouth Patent, and it was readily granted, though their tenets 
were no more approved by Plymouth than by the Massachusetts, 
Some Qiiakers also fied to Plymouth bounds, and thus probably sa. 
ved their lives— and the Baptists were still more I'avourably receiv. 
ed — the town of Swanzey in Plymouth colony, being principally fil, 
led by baptist refugees from Massachusetts. And they were content 
one of the ministers of their church at Plymouth, should baptize by 
ijiimeision, those who should desire it, provided he took no exccp. 
tion to the other minister's ifiririiling" 



23 



Note (H) 
It is the testimony of Baylie who was no friend to sectarists, that 
the Rev. Mr. Robinson was a man of excellent abilities, tlie most 
learned, polished and modest spirit that ever separated from the 
church of England. Hornius, inhis Historia eccles et polilica, gives 
a similar account of Mr. Robin'soij. Browx and Smith, were 
most bitter and severe sectarists. And their followers fell into con- 
tentions among themselves. But Mr. Robinson, as Gov. Winslow 
assures us, was always against separation from any of the churches of 
Christ ; holding communion with the reformed churches in Scotland, 
and the Netherlands — his study was for peace and tinion, so far as 
might agree with faith and good conscience. But the government of 
the church of England as to Episcopacy, stinted prayers, and the ad- 
mittance of prophane and unworthy persons to the sacrament of the 
Lord's supper ; these he never approved — " and if any joined us at 
I..eyden,'* Winslow adds, " or in New-England, have with the man- 
ifestation of their faith and profession of hohness, held forth there- 
with separation from the church of England, I have heard Mr. Rob- 
iMSON and Mr. Brewster stop them immediately, shewing them we 
required no such things at their hands ; but only faith in Jesus Christ, 
holiness in the fear of God, and submission to every divine appoint- 
ment." " Mr. Robinson and his church also renounced all attach- 
ment to any merely human systems or expositions of scripture ; and 
reserved tlie liberty of forming their opinions and practice from the 
light and directiows it should afford." 

Note (I) 
It is a proof of the prevalence of infidelity, and of the vitiated 
state of public opinion, that so many in our country wish government 
to give no support to the institutions of the gospel ; and consider it 
unimportant that political characters should be religious. Neither 
cliristian nor moral principles, they contend arc necessary for a poli- 
tician. It is not a question with them, whether a measure be obliga- 
tory and just ; but whether it be expedient and popular. 

Note (K) 
" Whatever Imperfections may be justly ascribed to our Fathers 
(which, however, were as few as any mortals have discovered.) Theii* 
judgment in fonning their policy was founded on wise and benevolent 
principles — It was founded on revelation and reason too — It was con- 
sistent with the best, greatest and wisest legislators of antiquity.'* 

•• .• .• •• President Adams. 

Note (L) 
" The same union of friendship, of counsel and exertion in the pub- 
lic cause which characterized the Hebrew Lawgiver and High Priest, 
distinguished the political and religious Fathers of New-England. 
The Miders of the State were at the same time tneinbers and pillars of 
the church. The religion they professed ivas the rule of their public and 
private conduct; and the advancement of its interests amain object oi 
both. For this purpose, they readily co-operated wltli the worthy 
clergymen, and contributed their best efforts for tlieir comfort, reputa- 
tion and success. Tlie advice and influence of the priesthood were 
likewise evev at hand to aid and succeed the operations of tlie magls- 



[ 24 ] 

trates, and to promote the civil as well as religious interests of the 
people." Dr. Tappan. 

" Laws which oblige the people to assemble fur public worship 
and provide themselves with public teachers of religion, are evidently 
well adapted to promote the good order of civil gosernment and ad- 
vance the happiness of a community ; by enforcing tlie use of proper 
means for impressing men's minds with an awe of the Supreme Gov- 
ernor of the world, and engaging them from a sense of their accounta- 
blcness to him, to fulfil all moral obligation, and live in the practice of 
the virtues of a good life. And such lavva can he no reasonable cmi&c 
of complaint, so long as the sacred rights of conscience are seatrcd, by leav- 
ing people at liberty to chcose their own teachers and modes of worship 
—And v.'hile none are subject to fires ,forjeitures nncl disadvantages of a civil 
nafure for their punicular rtligious opinions, Mxhey be peaceable members 
of society, and do no; propagate any doctrines inconsistent with the safe- 
ty of the state. To carry the idea of religious liberty so far, as to make it an 
hindrance to provide necessary means for the preservation of a sense of 
religion and moral obligation among the members of a community, is 
to oppose it to the interests of human society, and to rob civil govern- 
ment of one of its main supports." Dr. Cunnnings. 

Note (M) 
Te^f af?5 have usually been severe. But let us not argue against 
them from their abuse. The objection to the constitution of this State, 
\\hich makes certain qualifications essential in a Ruler, is founded in 
an assumed idea, that every citizen has a right to power and office, 
Eut this is a mistaken position. No one can justly claim an office of 
authority. It is f()r the people to say, whom they will entrust with 
the direction of public concerns. And they have an undoubted right 
to determine the qualifications necessary for promotion. And a 
christian society cannot ^without manifest impropriety) but require, 
that their civil Rulers admit that divine (that only complete moral) 
system, the gospel rev elation. 

Note (N) 
To be good Rulers or good citizens, men must be guided by such 
principles us operated on the hearts of Joseph and Nehemieih. " How," 
said the former, " can I do this great wickedness, and sin against 
God !" And the latter, suggesting, that in his offi.cial character, as 
Governor of Jerusalem, he refrained from similar measures of op- 
pression, as others had adopted before him, observes; " But so 
did 7iot I because ff the fear rf God." And utterly imqualificd for Ru- 
lers must those be, whatever talents or cunning they may possess, who 
are destitute of reliffious sentiments. 



19 89 




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